Characterization and genomic analysis of 135, a promising dibenzothiophene-degrading strain.

Sulfur is the third most abundant element in crude oil. Up to 70 % of sulfur in petroleum is found in the form of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and substituted DBTs. The aim of this work was to study the physiological, biochemical and genetical characteristics of 135 capable of using DBT as the sole source of sulfur. The genome of 135 consists of a 5,039,827 bp chromosome and a 164,963 bp circular plasmid. We found the absence of dsz operon present in most DBT degrading bacteria, but discovered other genes that are presumably involved in DBT utilization by 135. The strain utilized 45.26 % of DBT within 150 h of growth at 26 °C. This is the first strain of capable of absorbing thiophene sulfur without the aid of the genes.